I'm pleased to announce that the puzzle is complete. (I know you were all dying to hear about it.) The big surprise is there wasn't a piece missing even after buying it used (for $0.50). The sense of accomplishment in putting that last piece in its place is great (greater than it should be, it could be argued, as a jigsaw puzzle is rather inconsequential). Many thanks to all those that helped out. I'm hoping to do another one in the waning time I have the dining room table to myself, so feel free to stop by and lend a hand.

Being that we are halfway through February, I thought I would report on how the movie marathon is going. Thanks for all the suggestions, both in the comments and via e-mail. Also, thanks to all those who have joined in FMM, so I haven't had to go it alone! So far, I've seen Zoolander, Little Miss Sunshine, Rumor Has It, Pirates of the Caribbean II, Royal Tenenbaums, Because I Said So, Clerks II, Garden State, and The Departed. (I know, it kind of looks pathetic with them all listed like that. That's okay though.) Two thumbs up for Royal Tenenbaums and Garden State. Two thumbs down for Because I Said So (How could you, Diane Keaton?). Still on the list are Celestine Prophecy, Syriana, and Howl's Moving Castle.

Lastly, don't forget to vote on the recent Roses are Red... poetry contest. Submit your vote via the contact page or by e-mail.

on Fri 16th Feb, 2007 08:17 am UTCHorge said: Not related to the puzzle, except in an "I'm puzzled" kind of way, but I thought you would appreciate this pair of math tricks, Wren:
Multiplication: http://www.metacafe.com/watch/296904/easy_graphical_multiplication_trick/#fb
and Fractions:http://www.metacafe.com/watch/339625/easy_graphical_fractions_a-ddition_subtraction_trick/************************on Fri 16th Feb, 2007 03:01 pm UTCgretchen said: oh my god, because i said so was such a STINK BOMB! holy crap - that was a waste of money. i really had high hopes but diane really just ruin it. i'm still counting on catch & relase (even though the main guy is a d-bag) and music & lyrics (can't go wrong with hugh grant...even if he does like the prostitutes).************************on Fri 16th Feb, 2007 03:58 pm UTCcardboard said: You gotta check out last king of scotland, that movie is really good. ************************on Fri 16th Feb, 2007 04:16 pm UTCme said: diane keaton was overly predictable, agreed. check out sideways. have you seen it? i think you'll enjoy. a fish called wanda w/ john cleese and jamie lee curtis. and life aquatic. eulogy. shaun of the dead. (last three came from a friend so if they suck, blame her!)************************on Sat 17th Feb, 2007 11:05 pm UTCBaby Max said: Garden State sucked, and I'm a huge Zach Braff fan. It was just a giant predictable cliche with poor dialogue.
Plus now everyone thinks I started collecting Desert Storm trading cards because of the movie.
I've seen plays more entertaining than this. Actual PLAYS.************************on Sun 18th Feb, 2007 05:48 pm UTCZack Braff said: Wow, Max. You sure have learned opinions for an 18-month old. If a baby can predict my movies, maybe I should just stick to being a goofball of Scrubs. (Oh, and someone had better tell you now or it might cause you much headache later in life: Plays are bad.)************************

Roses are greatBut let's be honestWhat you really wantedWas a poetry contest

In the same spirit as the Haiku Challenge, I offer up another poetry challenge. This time, the rules are this: your poem must follow the standard ABCB "Roses are red" rhyme/stress pattern, it must make reference to either "red" or "roses", and it must be completed by 11:59 pm PST, Thursday Feb 15. Then come back on Friday, read the entries, and vote for your favorite by e-mailing me or contacting me via the contact page. The winner will get a big smootch from yours truly or some other just as worthless "prize". (Remember, put a <br> after each line to get it to display correctly)

In honor of the McCool troop (no pun intended) being in town, we all got together for another edition of the world famous game night. We had many of the usual players in attendence as well as some first timers. Many thanks to all who made it, some on very short notice.

Highlights included [baby] Max, plates of spectacular food (thanks Keith!), mozzarella cheese (thanks Tyler!), a house full of laughs and smiles (thanks everyone!), Chantiel Krav, and an artistic rendering of Katy (thanks Sean!) (Note: artistic rendering not posted by request)

A little on-the-fly javascripting (courtesy of moi) and you can checkoutsome of the drawings from the draw your friends game! Also, here are some examples of pictionary telephone done well and, well, interesting.

on Sun 11th Feb, 2007 08:23 pm UTCAndrew said: first.************************on Mon 12th Feb, 2007 02:51 am UTCamanda said: so glad the mozzarella didn't go to waste! loved the singing, wait, screaming snail of the Great Salt Lake. i still cry when i laugh about it. had fun, except for the Take Two introduction/tragedy that almost traumatized me forever. and was that one pic, amanda, erik's ex girlfriend? are you sure? by the way, i hope you sent a digital camera with your mom on her trip!************************on Mon 12th Feb, 2007 11:37 pm UTCAmanda said: you read my blog! i've been keeping up with yours... i have been in the city too long. today i imagined myself at adrift with nothing to do but drink asian pear wine. sigh.************************on Tue 13th Feb, 2007 02:43 am UTCBaby Max said: I want to see the drawing of Auntie Katy!************************on Tue 13th Feb, 2007 03:28 pm UTCChris said: Hmmmm, I don't know if I approve of the infinity symbol being used in pictionary, it's only a matter of time before you start allowing people to just spell words out.************************

One of the big assets Anacortes and Fidalgo Island have going for it is the Anacortes Community Forest Lands. There are enough trails too keep even a long time resident exploring. These days, I find myself out on hikes in the forest lands at least 4 times a week. I'm so grateful for the commitment to preservation of these lands for everyone to enjoy.

Since I spend so much time out enjoying the forests, it is only fair that I pitch in a little. I've known about the monthly work parties for some time, but until now, I haven't been able to find time to go join in. Today's work party happened to coincide with the most beautiful winter day (although it almost feels like spring). About 8-10 people showed up at Little Cranberry lake to pull non-native invasive plants.

After a little lesson in which are keepers and which need to get the kibosh, it was off into the forest. I spent an hour pulling english ivy and an hour pulling daphne. While my own feeling regarding non-native plants are not strong, it was great to learn how to identify them and a little about their history around this area.

The next work party is on March 10th at Whistle Lake at 10:00am. I had so much fun this time, I hope to make it to the next one as well.

on Sun 11th Feb, 2007 05:54 pm UTCEmily said: Down with the english ivy!!!
If you see Denise Crow at the next event -local leader in Env. Educator- holler out a great big HI from me.
************************on Mon 12th Feb, 2007 02:44 am UTCamanda said: i love hiking Little Cranberry. thanks for helping to maintain her! next time i hike though, i think i'm taking a chainsaw with me...************************on Tue 13th Feb, 2007 01:10 am UTCcardboard said: Oi strong work wren, that daphne spurge is super fullfilling to pull as its easy and you get the tap root everytime and its super terrible plant. Theres nothing quiet like grabbing ivy seedlings tho, the real bain is holy tho as its hard to kill without using some juice and birds eat its fruit which makes for large dispersal area. Noxious weeds rock my world. ************************

Ever since I ran across this recipe for sloppy lennies on the [amazing] Vegan Lunch Box blog, I've been dying to try it. When Andrew got me the Vegan Lunch Box cookbook for Christmas, it was all the more inspiration. Last night, I rolled up my sleeves, dragged tits over a hot stove, and prevailed.

Sloppy lennies are vegetarianized version of sloppy joes. Basically, you replace the meat with lentils, and tada!, you've got goodness. As it turns out, the VLB cookbook didn't have the recipe. I had to track back through the blog's archives to come up with this recipe. But in looking through the cookbook, I came across a great idea for a side dish: tater tots. Again, there was no recipe for those, just the suggestion to buy some from your grocer's organic frozen foods section. Since I am not one to contest authority, off I went.

Verdict (as Mrs. Shmoo would put it): The tater tots were a hit. The sloppy lennies were pretty good. I had to unveganize them with a slice of american cheese (and maybe some dried milk powder in the english muffins), but I still took down two of them (with plenty left for leftovers). 3.5 stars.

Anyone who knows me know that I couldn't find style even if someone gave me its GPS coordinates. I'm pretty sure flannel shirts with torn shorts, if they ever were in style, will never be again. That's okay though, because I live in my own world where "functional-lazy" is all the craze. (If anyone is interested in functional-lazy, there will be a runway show in Milan showcasing the spring collection in early April.)

For those who live in the real world, check this out. My step-brother Sam has always been the sylish one in the family. At his website, you can admire this sense of style in his clothing line and even find out where to get it yourself (sorry non-Washingtonians, it is currently only available in Seattle.) While at the website, be sure to check out the amazing glass and artwork too.

on Wed 07th Feb, 2007 02:42 am UTCJule said: I wore one of his hats all over Baja these past weeks and it worked like a charm. Stylish and functional! It even makes ME look good. ************************on Wed 07th Feb, 2007 02:55 am UTCWren said: I don't know if we can believe that one without photographic evidence. ZING!************************on Mon 12th Feb, 2007 02:41 am UTCamanda said: you both look good, but i don't know about in this hat! does Sam give fashion lessons? can i have one if he does?************************

Jigsaw puzzles can be a great way to pass time on a rainy day (or rainy week as the case may be). With both time and rain in abundance, I figured there is no better time than the present so I biked down to the local thrift shop to snatch up a puzzle. One thousand pieces for $.50 (not bad), however the pieces kind of smell like smoke (not good). The scene is of a beach, with trees, people sunbathing, waves, and lots of sky. Anyone hankering for a challenge, I'll set aside all the sky pieces for you.

Speaking of puzzles, I ran across this one the other day in my internet meanderings. It is simple but challenging. I'm somewhat ashamed to say that it took me the better part of an hour to solve although I did solve it. Anyone familiar with tangrams (Mrs. Doran alums, I'm looking at you here) should have a hoot of a time with this one.

on Mon 05th Feb, 2007 04:37 am UTCEmily said: Time and a puzzle!!! I'm jeolous. I absolutely love puzzles. I tend to loose steam when the sky is the only part left too. Have fun :)
---emily
aka The Nevada Junior 2nd Place Puzzle Contest Winner 1992************************on Mon 05th Feb, 2007 07:15 am UTCSaxtor said: I haven't seen a puzzle in well over a year, and yours was the second one in the same day.************************on Mon 05th Feb, 2007 04:38 pm UTCChris said: Ok, here's the real question: What do you do when you finish a puzzle. I spent a good couple of days finishing a big puzzle with Jenn and once we were done she wanted to take it all apart and put it back in the box. I just can't bring myself to do that after investing my time.************************on Tue 06th Feb, 2007 01:59 am UTCgretchen said: laminate it.************************on Tue 06th Feb, 2007 07:51 am UTCHorge said: I don't know if anyone else has menioned this to you Wren, but that tan-looking piece over there on the left definitely goes together with that other tan-looking piece one to the top and middle. Also I'm pretty sure that some of those blue ones are sky pieces. You thank me later with a check in the mail. :)************************

For those of you who have ever been to my house, on your next visit, you might notice something. (For those of you who haven't, this post might not quite do it for you.) Notice anything funny about the angle of this picture taken? Yes, that is our kitchen. Yes, there used to be a wall there.

In an effort to get more natural light into the kitchen space, Ma decided to sacrafice my old bedroom. Step one: pour through accumulated crap stashed in closet. Step two: remove wall. Step three: clean up. (That pesky drywall dust gets everywhere.) Step four: enjoy the open space created and the light allowed in. Everyone that has seen the change has approved. Here it is from another angle.

I like watching movies. Whether they are mindless Hollywood action blockbusters or quirky independent films, I usually enjoy them. I've often been accused of poor taste in movies, but I like to think of it more as an indiscriminate palette. How's that for a euphemism?

Anyway, while I was on that other continent over there (you know, that big one with lots of people), I fell behind on the whole movie scene. Even before that, the commuter lifestyle I led didn't really lend itself to free evenings to rent a movie or two. Now that I have nothing to stop me and the weather is still on the "stay inside" side of warm, I hereby declare February to be a movie marathon here at Chez du Wren. I've been keeping a list of movies I want to watch (or re-watch) for some time. First features: Princess Mononoke and Little Miss Sunshine.

Anyone in the area looking for a night at the pseudo-cinema, drop me a line and join me. Anyone not in the area, leave a comment with any movies I simply mustn't miss. (Scary movies need not apply)

on Thu 01st Feb, 2007 07:30 pm UTCNesbitt said: In the foreign genre:
"The Road Home" perhaps remind you of your sojourn in China and another one I thought of you while I was watching was
"The Edukators" and despite my spelling reputation that is the proper spelling.************************on Thu 01st Feb, 2007 07:32 pm UTCNesbitt said: Side note: best popcorn is definitly Act II. It sounds like you might be eating a lot of it.************************on Thu 01st Feb, 2007 08:33 pm UTCChris said: Mononoke is definitely a good pick, I used to have a roommate in college who was an anime freak and that was one of the few movies of his I really liked. Serentity is great (better if you watch the Firefly series first). Knowing you you've probably already seen I Heart Huckabees, good-but not for everyone. Thank You for Smoking is also a good one. Although technically not a "movie", Eddie Izzard "Dressed to Kill" is one of the funnies stand-up routines I've seen for a while. I'll think of more later I'm sure.************************on Thu 01st Feb, 2007 11:55 pm UTCjenelle said: these may qualify as a different kind of scary than what you mentioned but how could you live with yourself knowing you have not seen every full length feature starring america's favorite twins-- the olsons? or have you? but seriously, getchoself some wallace and gromit man! or have a mini buster keaton fest one night. oh yeeeeeah.************************on Fri 02nd Feb, 2007 10:28 am UTCHorge said: Wren, two words for you: Hudson Hawk. I think the two of us may be the only ones who enjoy that flick. At teh least the onlytwo Batesies. Unless Dave harbors secret feelings of love for it.************************on Fri 02nd Feb, 2007 10:29 am UTCHorge said: And while I'm at it, why not a little Tahitian Moon, a.k.a. "mutiny on the bounty" (mel gibson version)...************************on Fri 02nd Feb, 2007 04:42 pm UTCNesbitt said: I still can't get that stupid song from Hudson Hawk out of my head. "would you like to wish on a star...."************************on Fri 02nd Feb, 2007 07:52 pm UTCMovieWhore said: I doubt any of these are too far off from the general buzz about town, but for what it's worth I really enjoyed and would recommend ALL of these ones -
Clerks 2, Apocalypto, Children of Men, Departed, Flags of our Fathers/Iwo Jima, Babel, The Queen, Little Children, Scanner Darkly, Idiocracy, Hard Candy, F@ck, Fearless, Slither,
The Three Burials of Melquiades Estrada, Good Shepherd, The Illusionist, The Black Dahlia, The Wicker Man, Sweet Land.************************on Fri 02nd Feb, 2007 11:03 pm UTCtrista said: I bought a pirated copy of 'The Illusionist' in China... It was dubbed over into Russian! What a bummer.************************on Sat 03rd Feb, 2007 03:40 am UTCEmily said: You must watch Xanadu - the best musical on roller states ever created (and perhaps the only). Dream for an Insomniac should be on everyone's must-see list as well...if you enjoy a bit of romantic flair.************************on Sat 03rd Feb, 2007 07:12 pm UTCChris said: Any true Hawk fan knows that it's "Would you like to swing on a star"************************

Alert ESPN. Someone call Will Shortz. The results are in from BdWs first officially sponsored event, the Word Racer Meet Up. The results are: FUN!

Four states from 3 time zones were represented by the full house in social lounge 6, including the trifecta from Jamaica Plain, MA. It was fast paced action with great performances by all. Highlights included "quieter", "sunset", "molten", and "emoted" from the Great Finds category. For Comical Inclusion, "shat", "booty", and "hooty" all deserve a mention. "Veg", "hoy", "wen", and "cole" top the list of Words I Didn't Know Were Words. As for the I Could've Sworn Those Were Words category, we'll leave those for insiders only.

A big thanks to all those who participated! Keep an eye out for WRMU II soon!

on Tue 30th Jan, 2007 07:52 am UTCHorge said: Too bad I missed out. If y'all could just have it a bit later (after 1am) or quite a bit earlier, say 9am) then I'd be down for joining. You'd have a 4th time zone in the mix. And then you could claim transatlantic championshipness. I played a few times online and found I'm not so good. I prefer boggle. But also fun is Yahoo Grafitti. It's practically like Pictionary/Win-Lose-Or-Draw. But different. How different, you ask? Why, it's different cause it's online. Plus you can use differently colored crayons to help get your point across.************************on Wed 31st Jan, 2007 12:14 am UTCJenn said: Sadly, those look to be in order of score (me being at the bottom, as in last). I would love to participate in WRMU II, and I hope to have a better showing. We all really enjoyed the game, thanks for setting it up!************************on Wed 31st Jan, 2007 03:08 am UTCChris said: Yes, as for the "Could've sworn they were words", I think Dictionary.com and I are going to have to have a little chat before WRMUII.************************on Wed 31st Jan, 2007 07:21 am UTCSaxtor said: Chris, websites don't have kneecaps, so to save yourself embarassment I recommend changing your intended tactic.************************on Wed 31st Jan, 2007 08:25 pm UTC said: jenn- i promise that when i show up, you'll have a MUCH better showing.************************on Wed 31st Jan, 2007 08:37 pm UTCWren said: For those people that love word games (or need practice for WRMUII), check out this game. It is boggle meets tetris.************************on Sat 03rd Feb, 2007 11:01 pm UTCnathan said: doh! missed it! i'll try to make the next one************************